Toxins countermeasures

Identification of Novel Anthrax Toxin Countermeasures Using In Silico Methods... 

Guardian Angels , rapid detoxification, molecular machine countermeasures (vims model), less explosive fuels, universal antidote (for antiviral, antibacterial, and chemical toxins), standards for testing to known capabilities, constraction issues, preclinical diagnosis Global energy security... 

The prognosis of cirrhosis caused by toxins (alcohol or medicament abuse, chemical agents, iron storage, etc.) is usually markedly improved by eliminating the causal noxa. Recognition and treatment of secondary immuno-reactions, which may occur concomitantly, are also important. As a result of such reactions, the prognos-tically favourable effect of abstention (e.g. alcohol, pharmacons) may be reduced unless adequate countermeasures with drugs are possible. 

Synthetically produced toxins and genetically engineered toxin chimeras are areas of emerging interest because of their possible application as new medical modalities (e.g., IgTs) and powerful research tools, as well as their potential misuse as toxin weapons to confuse traditional medical countermeasures (Olsnes and Pihl, 1986 Millard, 2005). With the advent of facile production systems for recombinant proteins, the large-scale production of type 2 plant RIP toxins or toxin chimeras is increasingly practicable. 

The aerosol toxicity of ricin has been documented in several laboratory animals, including rhesus (Wilhelmsen and Pitt, 1996) and African green monkeys, but it remains unclear which, if any, of these effectively model the human response to ricin. Is it necessary to conduct animal trials with medical countermeasures for ricin in an NHP aerosol model, or will other animal models suffice to predict the human response The unexpected appearance of VLS in human clinical trials underscores the difficulty in extrapolating from animal models. Data addressing these questions will be critical in devising practical and effective strategies for coping with ricin as a toxin weapon. 

Toxins Compared With Chemical Warfare Agents Toxicity, Ease of Production, and Stability Sources of Toxins and Their Mechanisms of Action Mechanisms of Action and the Development of Countermeasures Populations at Risk... 

COUNTERMEASURES Physical Protection Real-Time Detection of an Attack Diagnosis General Considerations Approaches to Prevention and Treatment Decontamination and Protection of Medical Personnel Sample Collection General Rules for Toxins Toxin Analysis and Identification Water Treatment... 

The mechanism of action of a toxin does not necessarily correlate with either its source or its molecular structure or size. Understanding the mechanism of toxicity by the threat route of challenge is, however, the first step in developing medical countermeasures for a toxin, and is often the most important factor influencing what approach will be... 

Although each of these factors will be discussed in detail in individual agent chapters, the concepts and their implications for the protection of soldiers are introduced here. There is little correlation between the artificial groupings (source, molecular structure, and mechanism of action) commonly used to categorize toxins. The natural source and the implications of mechanism of action of toxins on the development of medical countermeasures are discussed below. 

Unlike chemical agents, toxins differ widely in their mechanisms of action. The medical protection of soldiers is therefore difficult seldom will a vaccine or therapy be effective against more than one toxin. (Note We can prepare for a battlefield threat—unlike a terrorist threat—by developing specific medical countermeasures. Vaccines and other prophylactic measures can be given before combat, and therapies can be kept at the ready.) Countermeasures are discussed in general later in this chapter and in detail in specific agent chapters in this textbook. 

In developing medical countermeasures, each toxin must be considered individually. Some incapacitate so quickly that there would be little time for therapy after an attack. Others cause few or no clinical signs for many hours, but they set off irreversible biochemical processes in minutes or a few hours that lead to severe debilitation or death several days later. Fortunately, some of the most potent bacterial protein toxins act slowly enough that, if they are identified, therapy initiated 12 to 24 hours after exposure is usually successful. Active and passive immunoprophylaxes are currently available but are not licensed for all high-threat toxins. Immuniza-... 

Although the threat of toxin weapons of the future is formidable, the prospect of new and better medical countermeasures is brighter than ever before. Biotechnology may have more value to those of us who are developing countermeasures than to those who would use toxins maliciously. Molecular biological techniques that have been developed in the last few years now allow us to produce more-effective and less-expensive vaccines against the protein and peptide toxins. Such vaccines will likely... 

Enhanced Pathogenicity Antibiotic Resistance Bioengineered Toxin Production Genetic Weaponry The Human Genome Project New Medical Countermeasures... 

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